Weight Management

Facts about obesity

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 20 percent of children ages 6 to 11 in the United States are considered overweight and 18 percent of teenagers (ages 12 to 19) are overweight. More people are now overweight than 15 years ago. This increase is seen in both sexes and all ages. Individuals who are obese as adolescents will most likely remain obese as they become older.

What is obesity?

Obesity is defined as a generalized accumulation of body fat. Obesity is determined by measuring both the height and weight of the adolescent. An adolescent is considered obese if he or she is significantly over the ideal weight for his or her height. Overweight is defined as increased body size with increased lean body mass and without excess accumulation of body fat. A uniform standard to separate obesity from overweight has not been established. Research studies suggest that overweight adolescents may become overweight adults.

What causes teens to become overweight?

The following are some of the factors that may contribute to overweight adolescents:

Easy availability of food, especially high-calorie snack food

Parents' attitudes towards food

An increase in the eating of fast-foods

Using food as a reward or punishment to change behaviors

Lack of exercise

Television watching and snacking

Not knowing how to eat healthy

Heredity (the size of parents and other family members)

Weight management

The basis of treatment for obesity in children and adolescents involves diet changes and exercise. It is important for parents and the adolescent to be ready and willing to make the change. Generally, weight loss is not recommended for babies and young children who are still growing and developing. The goal of treatment for these children is to maintain their weight while they continue to grow taller. Weight reduction may be recommended for obese adolescents who have completed their growth. The following are some of the general guidelines that may be followed in treating your adolescent.

For children older than 7 years of age:

The goal is to maintain baseline weight initially, and then add slow changes in eating and exercise to achieve slow weight loss as recommended by your adolescent's doctor.

At this age, a child or adolescent should follow adult guidelines, and limit fat intake.

Eat a variety of foods that are low in calories. Consider the following:

Your adolescent needs enough calories to maintain his or her energy level, but no more than he or she can burn off. This is called an energy balance.

If he or she takes in more calories than he or she burns, he or she gains weight.

If he or she takes in fewer calories than he or she burns, he or she loses weight.

If he or she balances the two, he or she maintains his or her weight.

Even when dieting, however, calories should not be cut back so much that your adolescent's energy needs are not met. The number of calories your adolescent needs depends primarily on age, gender, and activity level.

Decrease consumption of high-fat foods.

Eat more vegetables and fruits.

Eat fewer sweets, candy, cookies, chips, and sodas.

Change to skim milk.

Refer to support groups.

What can I do as parent to help with the management of obesity?

Do not use food as a reward. Use other activities as a reward for good behavior.

Have family meal time and snack times.

Provide only healthy options for your adolescent to choose from. For example, stock in the refrigerator apples or yogurt, rather than cookies and pies.

Have the entire family become involved in a healthy eating plan, not just the adolescent who is overweight.

Encourage activities that promote exercise, such as riding a bike, walking, or skating.